UCMS Automation
This mouse cage was developed in order to automate the “Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress” (UCMS) protocol which has previously always been done manually. Specifically it automates cage tilting and shaking, flashing lights, loud noises, and partial constraint. All of which is being scheduled and controlled via an Arduino Nano microcontroller.
The tilting is achieved by using a servo to drive a cam shaft with two cam lobes. The cage tips left or right depending on the orientation of the cam shaft. This design also allows for tilting and supporting the entire weight of the cage without that weight being directly applied to the axis of rotation of the servo motor.
The shaking portion is handled by a DC motor with a gearbox to reduce speed to approximately 100RPM.
By offsetting this motor and putting the entire base on four linear bearings it is able to shake the cage in a controlled and predictable manner across the X and Y planes of motion. Since an Arduino cannot deliver the 12V needed to drive the motor a MOSFET was implemented here to handle power switching.
The flashing lights is a simple LED configuration mounted to the lid of the cage. Same for the speaker for playing loud noises. Both of which are able to be driven directly with the Arduino
